The eThekwini municipality is now on a strict 30-day deadline to confront the safety crisis at a Durban building with a tragic history. This comes after ActionSA tabled an urgent motion demanding a full-scale investigation into the HOMii Lifestyle building, where a young boy died and his twin sister was critically injured after falling from the fourth floor earlier this month.
The incident, which claimed the life of Aphelele Dlamini and left his sister Aphile fighting for her life in the hospital, has ignited public fury and raised alarming questions about why previous warnings were seemingly ignored.
A Pattern of Tragedy, Not an Isolated Incident
For the community and the grieving families, this is a devastating case of history repeating itself. The HOMii building was already the site of another preventable death in 2023, when UKZN student Andiswa Mantshongo fell to her death in a lift shaft. Her mother is currently suing the building’s management for R4.3 million.
ActionSA councillor Zwakele Mncwango did not mince words when he presented the urgent motion to council. “This heartbreaking tragedy has once again exposed serious safety lapses at the same building where Andiswa died,” he stated. “This repeated pattern of incidents raises grave concerns about the structural integrity, safety compliance and management practices of the building.”
The Demand: Suspend Occupancy and Hold Negligent Parties Accountable
The party’s motion calls for decisive action from the city manager. Key demands include:
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A full investigation into the building’s safety compliance and the conduct of its owners and management.
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The immediate suspension of occupancy or closure of the building if it is found to be unsafe or in breach of municipal regulations.
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Ensuring that all responsible parties are held “legally and financially accountable” for any negligence.
Mncwango emphasized that the municipality has a “legal and moral duty” to act swiftly, a sentiment echoed by hundreds of residents who protested outside the building this week.
A Community’s Anger Boils Over
The protests were fueled by an emotional social media plea from the twins’ father, Khaya Dlamini, whose call for justice has garnered widespread support. The situation on the ground is tense.
Mncwango warned the council of a “real risk that the public may take the law into their own hands” if the municipality fails to act with transparency and urgency.
Faced with this pressure, the eThekwini council has officially directed the city manager and the executive committee to initiate a formal investigation. They must now report back with their findings within 30 days, a timeline that offers a sliver of hope for a community demanding that no more lives be lost to apparent negligence.
